Pegantha clara R.P. Bigelow, 1909

Buecher, Emmanuelle, Goy, Jacqueline, J, Mark & Gibbons, 2005, Hydromedusae of the Agulhas Current, African Invertebrates 46, pp. 27-69 : 34

Pegantha clara R.P. Bigelow, 1909

Pegantha clara: R.P. Bigelow 1909: 80 ; Kramp 1961: 272; 1968: 126, figs 339, 340.

Description: Single immature, damaged specimen. Saucer-shaped umbrella, broader than tall; 4.8 mm in diameter. Exumbrella surface smooth. Mesoglea thickened centrally, thinning to lappets. Velum broad. With eight equally-well developed peronia, shallow; similar number of marginal lappets, deep, square. With eight tentacles (though typically with between 20–40 when adult) arising from within mesoglea, at periphery of manubrium, long, solid and characteristically banded. Without secondary tentacles on umbrella margin. Mouth simple, circular. Manubrium without gastric pouches. Peripheral canal present, narrow throughout length. 3–5 statocysts per marginal lappet; otoporpae present, long and thin; length almost equal to lappet depth. When mature, typically forming slightly crenulated diverticula of margin of oral wall on manubrium.

Material examined: H4990.

Comments: see P. rubiginosa .

Distribution: Cosmopolitan. Previously caught off Madagascar (Vanhöffen 1912) and off East Africa (Kramp 1957). Mainly epipelagic.